How to Get a CDL Step by Step

A commercial driver's license (CDL) lets you drive tractor-trailers, dump trucks, buses and other large vehicles. It can lead to work in long-haul trucking, local delivery, construction, public transit and school transportation.

Getting a CDL is more structured than getting a regular driver's license. Federal rules set minimum standards, including mandatory Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) from a registered provider. Each state runs its own testing and licensing, so details and fees vary by state.

This guide walks you through each step, explains the ELDT rules in plain language, and shows you legitimate ways to get training paid for without falling into a bad deal.

CDL classes and endorsements

First, figure out which license you need.

Class A: Combination vehicles, like tractor-trailers, where the towed unit is heavy. It is the most common CDL for long-haul and regional trucking.
Class B: Heavy single vehicles, like dump trucks, straight trucks, and many buses.
Class C: Smaller vehicles that carry 16 or more passengers or hazardous materials that require placards.

Endorsements add permissions for special cargo or passengers:

H: Hazardous materials (requires a background check).
N: Tank vehicles.
P: Passenger vehicles.
S: School buses.
T: Double and triple trailers.
X: Combination of tank and hazmat.

A Class A license often lets you drive many Class B and C vehicles too, as long as you have the right endorsements.

Basic requirements

While details vary by state, common requirements include:

Age: At least 18 to drive within your state, and at least 21 to drive across state lines or carry hazardous materials, under federal rules.
A valid regular driver's license and a driving record without disqualifying offenses.
A DOT medical exam from a certified medical examiner listed on the FMCSA National Registry, with a medical examiner's certificate.
Proof of identity and residency.
Passing knowledge and skills tests.

Employers also check the FMCSA Drug and Alcohol Clearinghouse before hiring drivers.

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Step by step: from permit to license

Step 1: Study for your knowledge tests

Get your state's CDL manual, usually free on your DMV website. You will take a General Knowledge test plus tests for your class and endorsements, such as Air Brakes and Combination Vehicles for Class A.

Step 2: Get your Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP)

After you pass the knowledge tests and meet medical and identity requirements, you receive a CLP. It lets you practice driving a commercial vehicle with a qualified CDL holder in the passenger seat.

Step 3: Complete ELDT

You must complete Entry-Level Driver Training from a provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry before you can take certain skills tests. More on this below.

Step 4: Wait at least 14 days

Federal rules require you to hold your CLP for at least 14 days before you can take the CDL skills test.

Step 5: Pass the skills test

The skills test usually has three parts: a vehicle inspection, basic control skills like backing and maneuvering, and an on-road driving test. You typically take it in the class of vehicle you plan to drive.

Step 6: Get your CDL

Once you pass, your state issues your CDL. Keep your medical certificate current, since it must be renewed on schedule.

ELDT rules explained

The Entry-Level Driver Training rule, which took effect on February 7, 2022, sets a national minimum standard for new CDL drivers.

ELDT applies if you are:

Getting a Class A or Class B CDL for the first time.
Upgrading from a Class B to a Class A CDL.
Getting a school bus (S), passenger (P) or hazardous materials (H) endorsement for the first time.

What ELDT requires:

Theory instruction covering topics like vehicle systems, safe operation and hours-of-service rules. You must pass the theory assessment.
Behind-the-wheel training on a range and on public roads, for Class A, Class B, P and S. Hazmat requires theory only.
A registered provider. Your training must come from a school, employer or other provider listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry (TPR). The provider submits your completion to the registry.

The ELDT rule does not set a minimum number of behind-the-wheel hours. Instead, you must show proficiency. Some states have their own additional requirements, so check with your DMV.

Always confirm a school is on the TPR at tpr.fmcsa.dot.gov before you pay or sign anything.

Ways to get CDL training paid for

CDL training can be a significant expense. Fortunately, several legitimate options can reduce or cover the cost.

Option	How it works	Pros	Watch out for
WIOA funding	Local workforce boards may pay for approved training	Grants usually do not need to be repaid	Eligibility and approved schools vary locally
Company-sponsored training	A carrier trains you in exchange for a work commitment	Low or no upfront cost	Contracts may require repayment if you leave early
Tuition reimbursement	You pay, then an employer repays you over time	Freedom to choose a school	You need upfront funds
GI Bill and veteran benefits	VA benefits can cover approved programs	Can cover much of the cost	School must be VA approved
Community college aid	Federal aid or state grants for eligible programs	Structured, often local	Not all CDL programs qualify for aid
Employer-paid (local jobs)	Transit agencies, school districts or utilities train new hires	Local work, paid training	Limited openings

WIOA and American Job Centers

Truck driving is often on local lists of in-demand jobs, which makes CDL training a common use of Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds. Visit your local American Job Center, which you can find at CareerOneStop.org, to ask about eligibility and approved schools.

Company-sponsored training: read the contract

Many large carriers offer paid or low-cost training. This can be a great opportunity, but read the agreement carefully. Look for how long you must stay, what you owe if you leave early, and how pay works during training. Ask for a copy to review before you sign.

Veterans

Veterans may be able to use GI Bill benefits for approved CDL programs. Many states also offer a military skills test waiver for service members and veterans with qualifying experience driving military vehicles.

How to choose a CDL school

Once you know how you will pay, compare training providers carefully. Quality varies, and the right school makes the skills test much easier.

Ask each school:

Are you listed on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry? If not, your training will not count toward ELDT.
How much behind-the-wheel time will I get? More supervised driving usually means more confidence on test day.
What is your student-to-truck ratio? Fewer students per truck means more practice time.
Do you schedule the skills test, or will I need to arrange it myself?
What equipment will I train on? Ask whether trucks have manual or automatic transmissions, since some states place a restriction on your license if you test in an automatic.
What does the total price include? Ask about permit fees, medical exams, testing fees and retesting.

Read online reviews, visit the training yard if you can, and talk to recent graduates. A good school is open about costs and does not pressure you to sign on the spot.

What the BLS says about pay

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook, the median annual wage for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers was $58,640 in May 2025. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $40,140, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $79,380.

Pay depends on the type of driving, your location, your employer and your experience. A CDL does not guarantee a job or a specific income, and trucking can involve long hours and time away from home. Talk to local employers about their routes and schedules before you commit.

FAQ

How long does it take to get a CDL?

It depends on your training program and state scheduling. Full-time programs often take several weeks, and you must hold your CLP for at least 14 days before the skills test.

Can I get a CDL without going to a school?

You must complete ELDT from a provider on the Training Provider Registry if the rule applies to you. That provider can be a school, an employer or another registered trainer.

Do I need ELDT if I had a CDL before 2022?

Drivers who held a valid CDL or CLP before February 7, 2022 are generally not subject to ELDT for that license, as long as they meet the rule's conditions. Check the FMCSA website for details.

Can I drive across state lines at 18?

Generally no. Under federal rules, you must be at least 21 to drive commercially across state lines. Requirements vary by state for in-state driving.

How to Get a CDL: Steps, ELDT Rules and Ways to Get Training Paid